Olympian’s ‘Run Fast, Eat Slow’ cookbook

U.S. marathoner Shalane Flanagan crosses the finish line at the Rio Olympics on Aug. 14. (Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images)

Fresh off her performance in Rio, four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky are introducing their new cookbook, “Run Fast, Eat Slow.”

They’ll discuss their 15-year-long friendship that formed over fitness, nutritional tips and the book’s 100 recipes in an event Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Rakestraw Books in Danville.

In the book, subtitled “Nourishing Recipes for Athletes,” the two write that counting calories and dieting obsessively do more harm than good. Recipes developed for athletic performance include High-Altitude Bison Meatballs and Can’t Beet Me Smoothie.

Flanagan, a long-distance runner who holds U.S. records in the 3,000 meter, 5,000 meter, 10K and 15K, finished sixth in the marathon at the Rio Olympics. The United States was the only nation with three runners in the top 10, making it the team’s best finish ever.

Samples of recipes from the book will be served, and a book signing will follow the talk. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Go to www.rakestrawbooks.com or eventbrite.com.